Hamilton Academic Health Sciences Organization
(HAHSO)
AHSC AFP Innovation Fund
Local Guidelines and Application Process
Background
The Provincial AHSC AFP Innovation Fund was established from new annual AHSC
AFP funding under the Physician Services Agreement between the Ontario Medical
Association (OMA) and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). This
Innovation Fund is targeted to support: “the development of new and innovative practices
in health care delivery, and to support leadership and the dissemination of knowledge
across the healthcare system.”
The HAHSO Grant Adjudication Panel manages the application process and formulates
recommendations regarding funding approval of Innovation Fund proposals to the
HAHSO Board of Directors who in turn submit recommended projects to the Innovation
Fund Provincial Oversight Committee. (IFPOC)
Criteria for the Innovation Fund
1. The proposal must indicate a topic and description that is in-scope as defined by the
Provincial Innovation Fund Guidelines.
2. The format of the documentation must adhere to provincial requirements.
3. The proposal should include a target start date, an implementation plan, a reasonable
and well documented budget, and provide indicators of progress against which the
success of the project will be measured. The maximum annual funding is limited to
$100,000.00 and the maximum duration of the project is two years.
4. The resource implications for the Hospital and/or the University must be
considered. If there are resource implications (space, staff, resources),
formal approval by each institution is required.
5. The principal investigator must be a participating physician in the AHSC AFP.
6. Each physician association must sign off on member’s applications prior to review by
the Grant Adjudication Panel.
7. Provincial guidelines for physician compensation will be applied to all successful
proposals.
8. The funding is a one-time investment over an agreed-upon limited time frame, but no
longer than two years. Funding will be provided for the initial year with the
release of the second year contingent upon an annual review process to ensure the
project is achieving its stated objectives.
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9. The proposal should articulate a continuity plan if the project term exceeds the
funding term. Continuity support from the Hospitals and/or University cannot be
assumed.
10. The release of funding will be conditional upon receiving Research Ethics Board
approval or a letter from the Research Ethics Board stating approval is not applicable
for the project.
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